Tournament Rules

Eligibility

The tournament is open to registered anglers and boats.
All anglers must comply with all applicable Connecticut & New York fishing regulations. Long Island sound ONLY from Throgs Neck Bridge to the Middlegrounds (you can fish middle grounds but no further east).
Each boat must have at least one registered angler.
All participants fish at their own risk.

Tournament Fishing

Fishing begins and ends at the official tournament times announced by the tournament organizers.
All fish must be caught during the official tournament hours.
Fishing is permitted only within the designated tournament waters.
All fishing must be conducted using legal recreational fishing methods and equipment.
Fish may not be transferred between boats.

Blackfish Requirements

All blackfish must meet the current legal Connecticut & NY size and possession limits.
For the 2026 tournament, blackfish must be at least 16 inches.
Each angler is responsible for knowing and following the current state regulations.
Only legal fish will count toward a boat's tournament weight.

Tournament Scoring

Heaviest Blackfish overall gets 1st, second heaviest gets 2nd and third heaviest gets 3rd. Tournament prices for 1st, 2nd and 3rd receive sponsor items within buckets and custom Bimini rods. You can only weigh in one fish for Calcutta's A, B and C. Calcutta Breakdown *Per Boat*

A) $50 - Heaviest Fish takes all

B) $100 - Heaviest Fish takes 60%, 2nd Heaviest fish takes 30% and 3rd heaviest fish takes 10% Calcutta pot

C) $200 - Heaviest Fish takes 60%, 2nd Heaviest fish takes 30% and 3rd heaviest fish takes 10% Calcutta pot

D) $300 - Combined weight of your 3 heaviest fish takes all

Weigh In

All boats must return to the designated weigh-in location by the official weigh-in deadline.
Fish must be presented to tournament officials for weighing.
Fish must be whole and in suitable condition for weighing.
Need to with in fish or be in the weigh in line by 2 pm

Ties

All boats must return to the designated weigh-in location by the official weigh-in deadline.
Fish must be presented to tournament officials for weighing.
Fish must be whole and in suitable condition for weighing
The fish weighed in first get pick on what is split

Weather & Safety

The safety of our anglers and captains comes first. Tournament organizers reserve the right to postpone, modify, or cancel the tournament due to unsafe weather, sea conditions, or other circumstances beyond our control.

Any changes will be communicated to registered anglers as soon as possible.

Tournament Conduct

All anglers are expected to fish safely and sportsmanlike.
Cheating, intentionally altering fish, adding weight to fish, or transferring fish between boats will result in disqualification.
Tournament officials reserve the right to inspect fish, equipment, or boats if necessary.
All decisions made by the tournament officials regarding scoring and eligibility are final.

State Regulations

All anglers are responsible for knowing and following current Connecticut fishing regulations.

Tournament rules do not replace state or federal fishing regulations. If a state or federal regulation is more restrictive than a tournament rule, the state or federal regulation will apply.

Liability

By registering for the Tambass Tournament 2026, all participants acknowledge that fishing and boating involve inherent risks and agree to participate at their own risk.

The tournament organizers, sponsors, captains, and volunteers are not responsible for personal injury, loss, theft, or damage to persons, boats, vehicles, or equipment.

Tournament Organizers Rights

Tambass Charters reserves the right to make reasonable changes to the tournament rules, schedule, weigh-in procedures, or payouts when necessary to ensure a safe and fair event.

By registering for the tournament, all anglers acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to these rules.